When Halifax hired special constables to police icy sidewalks
Uncleared sidewalks bore a potential penalty of $150 in 1987
Icy sidewalks can be a hazard for runners, people with strollers, or anyone just trying to move along the sidewalk safely.
And in the city of Halifax in January 1987, the snow patrol was on the beat to root out the lawbreakers who created that hazard.
"They're people who don't shovel their sidewalks," said CBC reporter Andra Stevens.
She said a newly beefed-up bylaw gave homeowners or occupants 24 hours after a storm to clear their sidewalks.
'Delinquent shovelers'
"They're delinquent shovelers: people who let the snow turn to ice in front of their houses," said Stevens.
That ice made it hard for people like Lillian MacPherson to be sure of safely reaching their destination.
"I'd rather get hit with a car than have a fall on the ice," she said.
Stevens said MacPherson told her she walked on the street "most winter days."
To make sure compliance was enforced, the city had recently hired two special constables to take on the task.
Excuses, excuses
On the first complaint, the officers wrote out warnings.
But after that, scofflaws could get a fine of up to $150 (or $355 in 2025 dollars) or 10 days in jail.
And they heard lots of excuses when they called offenders out.
"The standard excuse is, 'the plow covered it over,'" said Const. Gerry Burnett. "But it's pretty hard for the plow to get all the way back on the sidewalk."
The calls never stopped
The response to warnings was good, but there were enough icy sidewalks to keep the constables busy.
"My partner this morning had 36 calls," said Const. Jim Milton. "And the phones continue ringing all the time."
Until the sidewalks could all be cleared — a big job, admitted the officers — Stevens suggested viewers "choose your footwear carefully."
"And if you're able, have a little fun," she said, as a man made the most of the slippery surface and deliberately slid along it.
